What started with an idea to snatch sales from the Datsuns and Subarus of the 60s, turned into a vehicular icon for Toyota. While it only produced 60hp from a 1.1L engine, the Toyota Corolla soon rose to the status of an icon. Here is a sneak peek into the commuter’s delight, and what it stands for now.

A Brief Dive into History

Before we throw light upon the latest trims, it is important to understand where the Corolla comes from. After all, it is history that teaches us to improve on the past and build a better future variant instead.

The Corolla took the automotive market in the 60s by storm. Decently powerful, greatly comfortable, and seductively stylish. The 70s and 80s showed a bump in power, owing to the increase in the engine capacity, to a then-1.6L variant.

The late 80s is where the fun began. With a front wheel drive technology that was rather modern for its times, the Corolla then was a thing of beauty. The 90s then showed massive upgrades with regard to safety and design language.

The late 2000s witnessed a rebirth of the Corolla. Now labeled as the Toyota Corolla Altis, it was near-perfect for its price and category. From the butter-smooth transmission to its cutting-edge, state-of-the-art safety tech, the Altis was something else—only till it was discontinued in 2020 in some markets.

The 2022 Scenario

Fret not, for 2022 has brought a facelift along with many variants of the Toyota Corolla. While the trims vary a fair bit with regards to price, there are a few differences too. Here is a comprehensive insight into them.

2022 Toyota Corolla L

If you are buying a car, there are few tricks and must-haves that you ought to keep in mind. Most importantly, for a car that comes under the commuter category, it helps if the car is a jack of all trades instead of being a master of some.

The Toyota Corolla L covers it all. It comes with a 1.8L 4-Cylinder engine that churns out 139 hp at just 6100rpm. It also packs about 126 Nm torque at about 3900rpm. This means that it packs enough power so that you can take it on a road trip or an adventure!

The road trip idea is feasible too. Owing to how the Corolla L focuses on comfort and safety, you won’t find it to be a hassle, no matter how long the journey. Air conditioning, pollen filters, adjustable seats—to name a few—are the premium features that the L trim offers.

The infotainment system is elaborate here too. It comes with a vibrant 7-inch display and a 6-speaker setup. Rest assured, you won’t be bored in the Corolla. With a starting MSRP of $20,075, it doesn’t seem like a bad deal after all, doesn’t it?

2022 Toyota Corolla SE Nightshade Edition

Starting at an MSRP of $23,225, the SE Nightshade Edition is a good middle ground so to say. Automatic engine shutoff, premium seats, 6-Way driver’s adjustable seats, 8-inch speakers, and so on are a standard here.

The design language is classy too. With metallic trims and chrome in some places, the SE Nightshade Edition seems too premium for the price offering. If you are seeking numbers, it produces similar numbers to the XSE Apex Edition. We expect most of the users to purchase this to begin with.

2022 Toyota Corolla XSE Apex Edition

This is where things get a little more interesting. The other trims cover most of the requirements that the average user will need, but the XSE Apex Edition takes it a notch further. Starting from an MSRP of $28,360, the 2L 4-Cylinder engine produces 169 hp at a healthy 6600rpm. It also packs a whopping 151 Nm torque at 4400rpms.

In order to manage such power, the brakes are all-4 ABS systems. What’s even better is the presence of at least 6 airbags that come even with the standard trim in this segment. While Toyota manages to give you the best safety at their disposal, you should exercise scrutiny from your end too.

And what about insurance?

Insurance is one such way that you can make amends if things go south. Sure, they won’t bring back time or restore your car to how things were before the mishap (God forbid), but car insurance makes things easier for your pocket, along with providing some sense of mental peace too. Luckily, insurance for a Toyota Corolla is pretty affordable and comes in many forms.

Finally, the XSE Apex Edition comes with a lot of extra goodies. 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, power doors with auto-locks, a massive 8-inch display, and most importantly, climate control—all this AND the nice stuff that the Nightshade Edition comes with. What else could you ask for?

To Conclude

The 2022 Toyota Corolla lineups seem pretty solid so far. Offering a great balance of performance, comfort as well as style, it is evident that Toyota has stuck to their roots of providing the best to their customers.